9th was then tapped to produce a track on Jay-Z's Black Album, which became his first major label placement. From there, 9th Wonder produced 3 songs for the R&B Super group Destiny's Child on the album "Destiny Fulfilled ("Girl", "Is She the Reason", "Game Over"), won a Grammy with Mary J. Blige for her album The BreakThrough ("Good Woman Down"), Erykah Badu's "Honey", and "20 Feet Tall" on the album New Amerykah 1 and 2, Ludacris' "Do the Right Thang", a song featuring Common and Spike Lee, and most recently David Banner on the album Death of a Popstar. 9th will also be working with Drake for the second time on his sophomore album release. 9th also has 3 albums with Murs, an Emcee that hails from MidCity, CA, in which all three albums have received critical acclaim.
9th was chosen by Aaron McGruder to score music for the critically acclaimed series "The Boondocks". He has endorsed companies such as M-Audio Electronics, FL Studio, LRG Clothing Company, and Creative Recreation Shoe Company. 9th Wonder was one of 12 individuals selected by The Pepsi Corporation for the African American Calender, "The First Of Many". 9th has also worked on an album with Hollywood actor Idris Elba.
He is the president, founder and CEO of It's a Wonderful World Music Group, which focuses on catering to the 28 to 40 year old demographic of hip-hop music lovers, 9th Wonder hosts a radio show along with Kyle Santillian on Soul 104.5 FM in Fayetteville, NC called "TRUE SCHOOL RADIO" playing the first 24 years of hip-hop, along with 80's R&B, and New Jack Swing.
9th Wonder and six other individuals founded the True School Corporation in 2006 to celebrate the music, culture, and film of 70's babies and The Spike Lee Era. In the United States there are millions of Black Americans between the ages of 28-40 that grew up in a time where hip-hop was diverse, informative, and soulful. These same individuals have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, accountants, dentists, etc., and still have a love of what hip-hop used to be. The media has demonized hip-Hop in the last 10 years; so many Black Americans tend to shy away from the picture that the media has created for hip-hop. True School has changed the minds of the generation before us (50's and 60's babies) and let them know that emcees such as Chuck D, Rakim, KRS-One, The Native Tongues, Outkast, and countless other has had much of an effect on our lives as our teachers and educators.
9th believes in the preservation of Black Music throughout all its divisions (jazz, gospel, funk, soul, afrobeat, hip-hop), and its connections to music enthnocology and the African diaspora. 9th was recently appointed the National Ambassador For Hip-Hop Relations and Culture for the NAACP by Ben Jealous, President of The NAACP, where he leads a board of PhD's, Hip-Hop Artists, and Juris Doctorates. 9th was recently interviewed by Neill McNeill of FOX 8 News in The Piedmont, NC, for a segment entitled "NewsMaker", to showcase North Carolinians who are making a difference in the community. 9th Wonder is also a member of the Zulu Nation, a hip-hop peace organization started by Afrika Bambaataa in 1973.
9th was appointed Artist in Residence by former North Carolina Central University Chancellor James Ammons (now President of Florida A&M University) in the fall of 2006. An Artist in Residence is someone involved heavily in the music industry to conduct a course or seminar of a particular subject. He was approached by Dr. Kawachi Clemons, PhD of Education, to develop a course called "Hip Hop in Context, 1973-1997, a study of the development and cultural history of Hip-Hop starting with James Brown in the late 1960's, going all the way to death of The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997. He is now currently an Adjunct Professor at Duke University while still traveling the country lecturing at different universities.
"You have to see one to be one." Hip-Hop is now making its 20yr generational turn, and there are a new breed of artists who are children of the first hip-hop generation, that have studied that generation's sound, look, and feel. "If the younger generation. . . " he continues. With President Barack Obama's message, and the new movement of hip-hop hipsters. . . "Along with several colleagues, I plan to have Summits, Festivals, and lecture panel series throughout the year, to show kids the true manifestation of the hip-hop culture and lifestyles," 9th says.
"Hip-Hop is the voice of at least 2 generations. At one time, it was the POSITIVE voice, as stated earlier. Chuck D was the black history teacher I never had, along with countless other black Americans my age. It can be that again, but with the right voices and the right players. As the late Curtis Mayfield said, "We must educate and Well as Entertain."
At Night
9th Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh
Cloudy days
Sleepless nights
I lay awake tossin', wonderin' when we'll get it right
We've been down
For so long
Know we comin' (comin', comin', comin')
Know we comin' (comin', comin', comin')
Yeah, just keep goin' (goin, goin', goin')
Know we comin' (comin', comin', comin')
Cloudy days
Sleepless nights
I lay awake tossin', wonderin' when we'll get it right
We've been down
For so long
Know change been on the way, ain't worried no more
Know we comin' (comin', comin', comin')
Know we comin' (comin', comin', comin')
Yeah, just keep goin' (goin, goin', goin')
Know we comin' (comin', comin', comin')
The lyrics to 9th Wonder/Buckshot's song "At Night" speak to the desire for success, the struggle to achieve it, and the obstacles faced along the way. The first verse highlights the rapper's skills and his ability to make money from his talent. He advises listeners to avoid drama and keep a low profile while hustling. He also mentions diamonds from Rwanda, alluding to the struggle and conflict that country has faced. The chorus talks about the difficulties of sleepless nights and the hope for a better future with the repeated phrase "know we coming." The second verse speaks to the rapper's personal struggles with stress and relationship issues. He expresses hope for a better future and the importance of perseverance despite the challenges faced.
Line by Line Meaning
My timin' is impeccable, my rhymin' is incredible
I'm always on time with my verses and they're really good
Save the drama for your mamma, what ya better do
Don't bring your problems to me, go fix them elsewhere
We're positive from profiting off everything I'm tellin' you
We're making money from the things I rap about
Don't get too excited, gangstas move in silence
Don't draw attention to yourself, real gangsters operate covertly
Diamonds from Rwanda shinin' and mixn' with designer
My jewelry is from a conflict zone and I'm mixing it with designer clothes
I've been grindin' like my nigga nineth to make a million dollars
I've been working really hard to make a lot of money like my friend 9th Wonder
I've been fuckin' groupies and recruitin' all the hutchie mommas
I've been sleeping around with fans and recruiting women who are attracted to fame
When I get the loot then I'm 'bout to scoot
When I make enough money, I'm going to leave quickly
Look, at night I can't sleep, I toss and turn
I have trouble sleeping and I'm restless at night
Thoughts burn as I ponder on this life I yearn
I have a lot of thoughts and desires about my life and they weigh heavily on me
All my stress be weightin' on me
I'm under a lot of stress and it's causing me to feel weighed down
Try to call my homie, just to realize him and life/Done went and got a alimony, damn
I try to reach out to my friend but I realize he's dealing with his own issues, including paying alimony
I'm lookin' at my girl like where the peace at?/She said 'as long as they is killin' us we ain't gon' see that'
I'm asking my partner where we can find peace, but she feels we won't find it until systemic violence against us ends
But I'm a man of power, a man of this purpose/So I look up to the man and just demandin' the service
I see myself as someone who has influence and a purpose, so I demand change from those in power
Like, I know it's all good if were wakin' up
I try to stay positive by reminding myself that every day is a new beginning
All of this gon' weigh on us, enemies that pray on us/No sleep, 'cause the dreams that we all chase
I acknowledge that we face challenges and enemies that cause us stress, and that we often can't sleep because of our goals and aspirations
No rest, 'cause we lost bae
We can't rest because we've lost someone we loved
I done been a lost soul, lookin' in the crossroads/Wonder where it all folds, even where we all go
I've felt lost before, unsure of what path to take and where it will lead us all in the end
Look up in the stars though, know who I can call though
When I feel lost, I look at the stars and feel comforted knowing I have people I can turn to for support
No we gon' be good, as long as I put my all though even through the
I believe everything will be okay if I give 100% effort, even during difficult times
Welcome back, you inside the dinner party
Welcome back to a gathering, where we'll enjoy good music and food
That's right y'all
I'm confirming what I just said
You're rockin' with the best
You're listening to the best music
And uh, it's about time for that dessert
We're about to enjoy the sweetest part of this experience
So turn your speakers up loud
Increase the volume and fully immerse yourself in the music
Have a seat, enjoy the treat
Sit down and fully savor this experience
'Cause this is something strictly for the street
This music is specifically made for those in the street culture
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Kamasi Washington, Patrick Douthit, Reuben Vincent, Robert Glasper, Simmie Sims, Terrace Martin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Warren Cave
Night time maneuvers remix by 9th is fire
MJ’sGarage
This brings back some nostalgia. I first heard this when I had just started 10th grade.
Michael Neblett
My fav 9th wonder beat
EDWARD MUTURI
This instrumental sounds so good.To me it sounds like it deserves the title all time riders.God exceedingly bless everyone that is listening to this instrumental , everyone that will read my compliment and the beat master 9th wonder,amen.
trilljordz
thanks for this ❤️
MR TRUTH HURTS
Perfect for taking a ride on a Sunday
Warren Cave
Bro i promise you. I have listens to this instrumental hundreds of times. That’s what I’m talking about. Boot camp click from duck down records. Buck shot Sean price shit was official dude’s from Brooklyn. 9th fucked with everybody. From ny Memphis bleek sky zoo Nas
Frank Gates Jr.
Happy Born Day 9th!!!!!
Warren Cave
https://youtu.be/SfL8s5S-PU8